Gaza residents will begin receiving tents and other shelter supplies from Sunday 17th Aug, as part of plans to relocate civilians from combat zones to the south of the enclave, the Israeli military announced on Saturday.

The move comes ahead of a possible new offensive aimed at taking control of northern Gaza City, the largest urban center in the territory and home to roughly 2.2 million people.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said last Sunday that civilians would be moved to what he described as “safe zones” before the military launches operations against Hamas’ last stronghold in Gaza City.

The shelter supplies will be delivered through the Kerem Shalom crossing in southern Gaza by the United Nations and other international aid agencies, following inspection by Israel’s defense ministry.

A spokesperson for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) expressed concern over the planned relocation, warning it could worsen the suffering of already vulnerable families.

At the same time, the U.N. welcomed Israel’s recognition of the urgent need for shelter, saying that allowing tents and supplies into Gaza provides an opportunity to reach people in desperate conditions.

The U.N. has repeatedly stressed that no part of Gaza, including the south, is truly safe for civilians.

Palestinian and U.N. officials have said the planned relocations may expose residents to further harm, with uncertainty over where they would be moved, including whether sites like Rafah near the Egyptian border will be used.

Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, confirmed on Saturday that plans for the new offensive were still being formulated.

Meanwhile, Israeli forces have stepped up operations around Gaza City in areas such as Zeitoun and Shejaia, where residents report ongoing air and tank strikes, explosions, and widespread destruction. The military said its operations in Zeitoun aim to locate explosives, destroy tunnels, and target militants.

The current conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages.

Israel’s counterattack has killed over 61,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health ministry, displaced most of the population, and worsened the humanitarian crisis, leaving much of the enclave in ruins. Of the remaining hostages, 20 are reportedly still alive in Gaza.

Protests demanding an end to the war and the release of hostages were expected across Israel on Sunday, with many businesses, municipalities, and universities supporting employees who plan to strike.

Efforts to broker a U.S.-backed 60-day ceasefire collapsed last month, while Egypt and Qatar continue to mediate in hopes of reviving negotiations.